Iconic film posters up for auction from cinema owner

The Birds by Alfred Hitchcock, poster up for auction. EMN-140429-013815001

Published:15:00Friday 02 May 2014Updated:12:00Sunday 04 May 2014

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An extensive collection of film memorabilia belonging to Sleaford’s former cinema owner ‘Frank’ Haxby will go under the hammer on May 7.

Frances Haxby entered the world of cinema aged 14 in his native Filey, North Yorkshire. One of his first jobs as a boy was delivering the programs for the local cinema in Filey round the local hotels.

Rambo: First Blood - an iconic film poster up for auction from Frank Haxby's collection. EMN-140429-013827001

Between 1951 and 1961, Haxby could be found running the weekly cinema at RAF North Luffenham where he was stationed during his national service.

He progressed to operating the film projection at several theatres up and down the country before settling in 1970 at the Sleaford Picturedrome, which he went on run.

The Picturedrome – or as it became known, Sleaford Cinema - on Southgate, could seat 900 people. A second smaller cinema seating 60

in unused cafe space was added in 1980. It closed in November 1984. The last showing believed to be a romantic comedy, Blame It On Rio. Frank carried on running the smaller cinema until it closed on September 9, 2000.

Mr Haxby died in July last year. His collection is being sold by his life-long partner. The memorabilia contains over 50 posters from some of the most iconic films of the 20th century, including Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, Elvis Presley in Follow That Dream, James Dean in Rebel Without A Cause and Sylvester Stallone in First Blood. Andrew Doubleday, Grantham Saleroom Manager says the posters should be appreciated as works of art. “They will sell to film memorabilia enthusiasts as well as people looking for a retro art poster for their home or business.”

The sale takes place at Grantham Auction Rooms on May 7, from 10am. Details: www.goldingyoung.com.